Moving from Waco, TX to New Orleans, LA
A move from Waco, TX to New Orleans, LA covers 527 mi and around 9h 60m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
527 mi · 9h 60m by car · LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 6, TX 99 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, Houston, College Station |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in New Orleans and Waco is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in New Orleans is 0.1% above Waco — $194,245 vs $242,493 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 60.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and New Orleans (70.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
New Orleans gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.43 |
Median household income in New Orleans is 0.1% above Waco ($51,468 → $55,339, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New Orleans MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 64,460 | $38,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 59,980 | $26,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 48,630 | $37,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 48,580 | $31,100 |
| Management Occupations | 33,120 | $101,850 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in New Orleans average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: New Orleans averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Waco vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $51,468 in Waco — a 7.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 527 mi and the route typically takes 9h 60m via I 10 and TX 6. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Waco to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 527 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Waco and New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 66.6°F in Waco (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 37.5 in.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $194,245 in Waco — a 24.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 0.1% higher than Waco (92.597 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · New Orleans, LA.